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At present, an engaging leisure choice is a show set in the past depicting Manhattan's elite in a bygone time. One storyline briefly touches on industrial employees demanding better conditions for what they call “888”: equal parts each of work, sleep, and recreation.

This idea was far from groundbreaking at that time. The slogan, coined by social reformer Robert Owen, dates back to 1817. Before that, a centuries-old Spanish ordinance restricted workers in the colonies to reasonable hours.

What might these historical figures or a Spanish monarch react to “996”? This term describes laboring from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days out of a week – amounting to 72 hours of intense work. First seen in the tech sector in China, 996 was famously described as a “blessing” by a well-known e-commerce founder. But, employees in China objected, voicing opposition digitally and prevailing in court cases with companies.

Now, 996 has returned – though it likely remained in practice. Evidence suggests that staff across industries are expected to put in long shifts. In Silicon Valley, adhering to such hours is seen as essential for success. Recruitment posts sometimes state grueling time commitments and stress that applicants must be enthusiastic about the prospect. Talent scouts receive orders that a readiness to work 72-hour weeks is non-negotiable.

One publication declared that hustle mentality is back and grindier than ever. A founder captured the attitude as: “No drinking, no drugs, 996, lift heavy, run far, marry early, track sleep, eat steak and eggs.” A different wrote online about regularly putting in time through the weekend and achieving greatness late into the night.

Numerous observers are puzzled by this trend. Hadn't we all fallen out of love with hustle culture? Recent successes from reduced-hour experiments demonstrate that almost every participating companies opted to keep the new schedule. Considering other nations, more enlightened approaches to work that harmonize family, community, life and work do not necessarily come at a productivity cost and often lead to more content and well-rounded people.

As an example of the Netherlands, with an average workweek is about 32 hours. Even with shorter hours, the country has been surpassing its peers and stands fifth in the most recent World Happiness Report.

Furthermore, there is talk of growing work-agnosticism, especially among youth. Polls from well-known organizations found that personal time was listed as the most important factor in choosing an employer. Unexpectedly, this aspect outranked salary as a motivator.

So what is this new, intense push for excessive labor? Some hypotheses may clarify this behavior. Initially, it could be the final effort of a outdated belief – an “extinction burst” before it disappears. Alternatively suggests current findings indicating that too much labor can cause mental alterations. Evidence conclude that those with extreme schedules display alterations in areas of the brain related to executive function and emotional regulation. Looking at a few famous industry personalities, that idea seems plausible. Maybe people with cognitive differences could think that such a schedule are healthy or productive.

Given that industry insiders usually seek novelty, it's possible their overworked selves could be swayed that inhumane working practices are outdated with creative options. But what would be accepted? People imagine reduced schedules, approaching an economist's formerly suggested 15-hour workweek. Others propose a set proportion of work to rest, or allocating one day in the office and additional days in leisure. Perhaps under a trendy label and rumors that it boosts longevity, any of these might emerge as the new phenomenon in intense industries.